Many Mahomet parents know about the array of athletic summer camps available to Mahomet students, but for parents with creative young minds, artistic camps are often hard to find.
Knowing there was a need to art and music camps, particularly for junior high and high school students, Mahomet Lutheran Church Director of Music and Arts Ministry developed “Imaginarium“, a five-day Summer Fine Arts Camp from students entering grade six to those who just graduated from high school.
This year’s camp will be held July 24-28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Mahomet. Registration must be completed by July 1 and costs $35.
In 2008, Downs met with other church leaders to address the need for junior high programming within the church. Young children attended vacation bible school and high school students had band or sports during the summer months.
Unless a junior high student was in sports, Downs found there were not opportunities for those students in Mahomet.
Church leaders also wanted to get a gauge on the interests of junior high students for school year programming.
The camp began by opening to church members. Each week-long camp consists of visual arts, photography, drama, music and culinary arts.
Downs makes sure that students try new things during their time with her. In the past, students have learned how to do wood burning, make cinnamon rolls. learned about stage-make up, worked on monologues, make art from recycled objects and danced.
“It’s my favorite week of the year,” Downs said.
